Starring: Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons, Stephen Fry, Toby Jones, Jeremy Northam
The Man Who Knew Infinity
Director: Matt Brown
Rating: 3/5
The Man Who Knew Infinity brings the story of true-story of Srinivasa Ramanujan to the big screen as the book of the same names by Robert Kanigel gets a movies makeover.
Dev Patel takes on the central role of Ramanujan, who became a pioneer of mathematical theories during his time at Cambridge University, as he teams up with director Matt Brown for the first time.
Colonial India, 1913. Srinivasa Ramanujan (Patel) is a 25-year-old shipping clerk and self-taught genius, who failed out of college due to his near-obsessive, solitary study of mathematics. Determined to pursue his passion despite rejection and derision from his peers, Ramanujan writes a letter to G. H. Hardy (Irons), an eminent British mathematics professor at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Hardy recognizes the originality and brilliance of Ramanujan's raw talent and despite the scepticism of his colleagues, undertakes bringing him to Cambridge so that his theories can be explored. The Man Who Knew Infinity is the improbable true story of a unique genius whose pivotal theories propelled him from obscurity into a world in the midst of war, and how he fought tirelessly to show the world the magic of his mind.
Dev Patel has made a name for himself in recent years with the likes of Slumdog Millionaire and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel under his belt and now he is back in another leading role.
While Patel may not have necessarily been the obvious choice for the role of Srinivasa Ramanujan, there's no denying that there is a charm and a warmth to his performance that you cannot help but be swept along by.
Patel really does capture the passion that Ramanujan has for his work and his theories as well as the delight at learning about around people who think similarly to himself. I found his performance engaging and infectious and I loved the chemistry that he has with Jeremy Irons.
Irons is a wonderful actor and he is the tutor - and father figure - who takes Ramanujan under his wing during his time at Cambridge and encourages his work. There is a touching relationship between the pair as Hardy and Ramanujan as the teacher realises what a special student he has.
There's no denying that director Matt Brown has set with the intent to tell Ramanujan's story and honour the man that he wants us to get to know. And while this is a biopic that does paint a picture of a very intelligent young man, you fell that you have only just scratched the surface. It just not as deep and complex as some of the other movies that are in this genre.
Having said that, the performances do help elevate the film and Brown has done a solid job in bringing the story of Ramanujan to the big screen. You just have to wonder what kind of movie we would have been treated to from more experienced hands. Having said that, it is a charming film that does shine a light on an extraordinary individual.
The Man Who Knew Infinity is out now.
Tagged in Dev Patel